News about Toshiro Mifune

Magic formulas must exist for successful TV shows, but actors and writers have yet to find a foolproof spell. Instead, they keep falling back on the classics, remaking favourite shows in the hopes that lightning will strike twice. Here we examine eight classics and compare them to their remakes - some are better than the original, some are more popular but equally good, and at least one of them is a horrible clunker.

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: "So, tell me about yourself," the most inane question any interviewer will ask is, "So, tell me about yourself." It's worse than lazy, revealing a complete lack of interest. I't bothered finding out the first thing about you.' It's the question that modeling company director Zoe smacked Devon in the first part of the fashion-shoot series New Model Agency (Ch4). The lad was a bit unimpressed, as anyone else: 'I'm just a normal, simple guy,' he said, unsure what else he was supposed to say.

The much awaited action-drama set in the 17th century depicts the brutality of feudal Japan and revolves around a military chief fighting for his life in a series of brutal, violent clashes. Shogun, based on James Clavell's acclaimed 1975 book, features brutal beheadings, people boiled alive, and sliced open with katanas, with fans still commemorating it as one of the year's most blood-thirsty smash hits. The fantasy epic has already received rave reviews around the world, with fans and commentators alike delighting in its brutality and brutal storytelling.